TRENTON — The New Jersey Senate Law & Public Safety Committee unanimously passed a bill to make first aid, ambulance or rescue companies immune from certain civil damages.

“Emergency squads can be empowered knowing that they will not be sued for doing whatever it takes to try and save lives and prevent injuries,” said state Sen. Christopher “Kip” Bateman (R-Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Somerset). “This bill assures that they are not liable for any civil damages after rendering good-faith life support services.”

Under current law, non-volunteer first aid, ambulance or rescue companies are not provided immunity from civil damages as the result of an act or the omission of an act committed while in training for or in the rendering of intermediate life support services in good faith.